It seems recent pictures of Kate Middletontopless has led to another fall out with the announcement this weekend that the Irish Daily Star‘s editor, Michael O’Kane has resigned after his decision to run the pictures of a disrobed Kate Middleton September 15th.

The decision to run the images came against most UK publications reluctance to run said images, although that didn’t stop Danish, French, Italian, Scandinavian and various US press outlets (including this journal) from deciding to run said images.

At the time it was thought by some running such images was tantamount to abusing Kate Middleton’s right to privacy versus the question that as a public figure she should expect to be portrayed no matter how flattering or not in the media when opportunities or public discussion arose. As many argued this is the lot of celebrities and by extension the royal house who consistently court public approval and with whom they need in order to pull in their large fortunes and popularity.

‘The Duchess would be no different to any other celeb pics we would get in, for example Rihanna or Lady Gaga.’

‘She’s not the future queen of Ireland so really the only place this is causing fury seems to be in the UK, and they are very very tasteful pictures.’

Nevertheless, Mr O’Kane’s decision to be the stand alone UK publication to show the images it seems caused some dissent in the UK and what one is willing to bet some arm wrestling courtesy of the palace who was in a rush to tell the media what it will or will not tolerate. Yes, so much for democracy one might argue…?

Irish Daily Star editor Michael O'Kane

Reports the irishexaminer: Michael O’Kane had been suspended from his role in September while an internal investigation was carried out into the tabloid’s decision to rerun pictures of Middleton and Prince William sunbathing on a private holiday in France.

Media tycoon Richard Desmond, whose Northern and Shell group co-owns the newspaper with the Irish-based Independent News and Media, had threatened to shut the Dublin operation down.

In a statement today, the Irish Daily Star said: “As a result of the publication on 15 September 2012, issues arose with the shareholders of Independent Star Limited.

“Having considered those issues in tandem with Mr O’Kane, it is Mr O’Kane’s decision to resign as editor of the Irish Daily Star, effective immediately.”

Resigned or be pushed out of a moving vehicle? Which raises bolder questions, should editors have their autonomy controlled lest they offend the subject matter in question? Or should we be deferential to individuals who we are told are monarchy and thus deserving of another level of media representation…? Of course one has to wonder how much the Royals were able to influence O’Kane’s ouster and what we really mean by freedom of the press…?